COVID-19 Update March 24

Dear members of the Saint Louis University community,

With nearly two days of remote learning under our collective belt, I want to thank
all of you. Thank you to our students who continue to give our faculty members grace as many of them are exploring a new
means of delivering their coursework. Thank you to our staff who are contributing in many selfless ways, including supporting and facilitating
faculty and student success during this new way of operating. Thank you to our faculty for your unceasing devotion to our students and for supporting one another during
this disruptive time. I have heard countless stories of faculty assisting each other
from hosting virtual opportunities to learn from one another how to maximize remote
learning success to sharing tips on staying healthy. And finally, thank you to our Billiken families for your tireless support of our students, your continued patience with our University,
and your many expressions of gratitude for SLU and its people.

This is exactly what I had in my head and my heart when we coined OneSLU in my email
Sunday night.

Student resources

I want to share the link to an email from Dr. Debie Lohe, interim Vice President for Student Development. It was sent
to students and parents. In it, Dr. Lohe describes how students can continue to maintain
community and health as we settle into our “new normal.”

Though students are the target audience, I believe that Dr. Lohe’s message offers
information that will be valuable to faculty, staff and parents who are supporting
our students – and each other.

Technology & printing needs

Following yesterday’s announcement about the Pius Library closure, we have heard from
students who have unmet technology and printing needs.

For students who have printing, or other technology, needs, we are working to identify
a list of printers for students to have access to for printing. In the meantime, please
email pandemic@slu.edu if you have an immediate need.

ITS launches virtual call center

In addition to ITS’ Support Desk (helpdesk@slu.edu), the division has launched a virtual call center to provide faster support for Zoom,
Blackboard, and Panopto during this transition. To reach the call center, contact
the main ITS Support Desk at 314-977-4000, and choose option 6 to be connected with an ITS technician. This service is available from 8 a.m. to
6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A reminder about STL area “stay at home” orders

I want to remind you that the City of St. Louis and surrounding counties, including
the State of Illinois, have issued variations of a 30-day “stay at home” order as
our community works exceptionally hard to flatten the curve.

Deans and vice presidents should provide guidance to define who is or is not considered
essential under the city’s order, and will give those individuals a letter identifying
them as essential employees who are able to travel to and from work.

In closing today’s message, I want to share a poem from Catholic blogger and author Laura Kelly Fanucci.

“When this is over, may we never again take for grantedA handshake with a strangerFull shelves at the storeConversations with neighborsA crowded theatreFriday night outThe taste of communionA routine checkupThe school rush each morningCoffee with a friendThe stadium roaringEach deep breathA boring TuesdayLife itself.When this ends, may we find that we have become more like the people we wanted to bewe were called to be|we hoped to beand may we staythat way – betterfor each otherbecause of the worst.”